Combined staple forming and driving machine



Nov.7, 1939. A F H R 2,179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet I NOV. 7, 1939. sc 2,179,036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 l3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1939.

A. F. FISCHER COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 I l 62 l Z; Z 6

I awe/whoa 6 67 Q5 9 96 4/7/1/040 fi'fiaaA f/z,

KM v 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 7, 1939. F, sc z 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 gums/14km Nov. 7, 1939. A. F. FISCHER 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov; 7, 1939. Fl sc 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE I Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 7, 1939. A. F. FISCHER I 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 1s Sheets-Sheet 9 agai Z55 3mm Nov. 7, 1939. A, EQSCHER 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 1o 1 Wig, 22. @z'g. as?

NOV. 7, 1939; sH 2.179.036

COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 SheetsSheet ll 2%; =76 wag. 3/? W 36a 5%; 5 9.

Nov. 7, 1939. A. F. FISCHER 2.179.036

. COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 3 v WWI/M AD /040 f 5561966771,

v- 1939- A. F. FISCHER COMBINED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Filed April2, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 m m a w a M m, 7 3 MM ,//r, 7 a v 6.16.} 2 q w m W3 i aa n 322 z w a J 0 "m In E Patented Nov. 7, 1939 COMBHNED STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE Arnold Ferdinand Fischer, Astoria, N. Y., assignor to Hobbs Sales & Service Station, Inc, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 2, 1938, Serial No. 199,701

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a staple forming and driving machine designed primarily for stapling the folded portions of the walls of paper boxes together, but it is to be understood that the machine, in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including an automatically arrestable releasable means for intermittently controlling the stapling cycles of the machine.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including a brakeless automatically arrestable releasable means for intermittently controlling the stapling cycles of the machine, and with said means having the parts thereof so related to discontinue the operation of the machine and to prevent backlash at the completion of a stapling cycle.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including means to prevent the staple being formed with legs of uneven length. 7

The invention has for other of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose set forth, a spring controlled hanger for an anvil which associates with a staple former and with the hanger, anvil and former being so related and constructed to'give the wire from which the'staple is formed the opportunity to seat itself correctly and to prevent it from jumping out of the anvil.

The invention has for anotherof its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose set forth; a face plate for detachable connection to the body of the machine and carrying a spring controlled vertically movable hanger, a tiltable combined anvil and staple supporting element connected to the hanger and a spring controlled plunger mounted in the hanger for coaction with said element, and with the said face plate capable of being quickly removed whereby said hanger, plunger and ele ment may be convenientlyadjusted when occasion requires.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including a tiltable combined anvil and staple supporting element so constructed and arranged to preventit sticking on soft, spongy stock on the delivering of the staple therefrom to thestock.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set'forth, a machine for the purpose referred to having an adjustable intermittently operable wire feeding mechanism including a pairo'f feed rolls so arranged, constructed and operatedfor equalizing. pressure alike on the Wire; during the feed of the latter which results in an even pull on the Wire and minus a'sudden thump as the rolls move into active feeding relation with respect tothe wire.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including a wire cutter mechanism, astaple former mechanism, a tiltable verticallymovable spring controlled, a combined anvil and staple supporting element coacting with the former mechanism and on which the staple is formed, supported and discharged from, and a driver mechanism for the formed staple mounted in the former'mechanism andacting to discharge the staple from said element and driving it intothe work.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth-a machine for the purpose referred to including, a tiltable vertically movable spring controlled combined anvil and staple supporting element and adjustable means for intermittently feeding a length of wire stock across said element to be acted upon to form a staple which subsequently is discharged therefrom'and driven in the work to be stapled.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, in a manneras hereinafter set forth, a machine for the-purpose referred to including a tiltable combined anvil and supporting element for asevere'd length of wire'stock from which the staple is formed and with said element being so mounted to move vertically during the formation of the staple and then subsequently be tilted to permit of the staple beingdischarged therefrom.

The invention has for another of its objects to provide, ina manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to including a reciprocatory staple former mechanism, a reciprocatory staple driver mechanism, and means whereby a differential movement in like directions is imparted to said mechanisms to provide for their activity.

The invention has for another of its objectsto provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

machine for the purpose referred to including a reciprocatory staple driver mechanism and an adjustable staple clincher structure coacting with the driver mechanism for clinching the staple to the work.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the purpose referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled, conveniently repaired when occasion requires, intermittently operated, automatically controlled as to the intermittent operation thereof, possessing a safety characteristic with respect to the attendant or operator, thoroughly efiicient in use for the purpose intended thereby, adjustable, enabling an attendant to easily couple the machine to a prime mover for the latter, and comparatively inexpensive to build.

'Embodying the aforesaid objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine broken away,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View in side elevation and partly in section of the machine,

Figure 3 is a front elevation, broken away of the combined wire check and guide structure,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of said structure,

Figure 5 is a section on line 55, Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a section on line 66, Figure 4,

Figure '7 is a section on line 11, Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a section on line 88, Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 10 is a section on line lfllfl, Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a section on line l|l I, Figure 10,

Figures 12, 13, 14 and 1,5 are respectively sections on lines l2-l2, l3-l3, |4l4, and I5|5, Figure 11,

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the non-adjustable carrier of the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 1'7 is a perspective view of the adjustable carrier of the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 18 is a front elevation of the front clamp of the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the rear clamp of the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 20 is a view illustrating in front elevation the gear drive of the wire-feed mechanism,

Figure 21 is a front elevation of the wirecutter mechanism,

Figure 22 is a side elevation of the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 23 is a top plan view of the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 24 is a section on line 2424, Figure 21,

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the body part of the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the movable blade carrier of the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 27 is a side elevation of the fixed blade of the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 28 is an end View of said fixed blade,

Figure 29 is a fragmentary View in front elevation illustrating the front plate of the machine, the spring controlled hanger for the combined anvil and staple supporting element, the said element and the wire-cutter mechanism,

Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 29 without the face plate and illustrating the wire-cutting mechanism, the staple former mechanism and the staple driver mechanism,

Figure 31 is a vertical. sectional view partly in elevation illustrating the staple-former mechanism and the means for operating the wire cutter mechanism,

Figures 32, 33, 34 and 35 are vertical sections on line 32-32 of Figure 30 illustrating the initial or normal position of the hanger structure, combined anvil and supporting element, the staple former mechanism and staple driver mechanism and the positions they successively are arranged in from the point of forming the staple to the point of driving the staple,

Figure 36 is a side elevation of the staple former mechanism and staple driver mechanism disposed in assembled relation,

Figure 37 is a rear elevation of the staple former and driver mechanisms assembled,

Figure 38 is a front elevation of a part of the staple driver mechanism,

Figures 39 and 40 are respectively sections on lines 39-39, and filmi5, Figure 36,

Figures 41 and 42 are respectively sections on lines ii-45 and 42- 12, Figure 37,

Figure 43 is a section on line LL-43, Figure 38,

Figure 44 is a section on line M l4, Figure 36,

Figure 45 is a bottom plan of one of the jaws of the former mechanism,

Figure 46 is a fragmentary view in front elevation, partly in section of the revoluble actuating mechanism common to the staple former and driver mechanisms and having combined therewith a diagram illustrating the initial or normal position of said staple former and driver mechanisms with respect to the points of connection thereof with the actuating mechanism,

Figure 47 is a front elevation of the said actuating mechanism showing the position, on a quarter revolution thereof with respect to the staple former and driver mechanisms combined with a diagram illustrating the extent of the differential movement given to the staple former and driver mechanisms,

Figure 48 is a front elevation of the said actuating mechanism showing its position on a half revolution thereof with respect to the staple former and driver mechanisms combined with a diagram illustrating the extent of the differential movement given to the staple former and driver mechanisms on completion and driving of the staple,

Figure 49 is a perspective view of the holding spring for the driver element of the driver mechanism,

Figure 50 is a perspective view of the driver element of the driver mechanism,

Figure 51 is a side elevation, broken away of the said driver element,

Figure 52 is a side elevation upon an enlarged scale and broken away of the clinching structure,

Figure 53 is a section on line 53-5; Figure 52,

Figure 54 is a section on line 545 3, Figure 52,

Figures 55 and 56 are respectively sections on lines 5555 and 55-56, Figure 54,

Figure 57 is a section on line 51-51, Figure 2 illustrating an automatically controllable clutching mechanism for intermittently connecting the driving mechanism of the machine to a prime mover and with the clutching mechanism in nonactive position,

Figure 58 is a section on line 58-58, Figure 57,

Figure 59 is a section on line 51-5l, Figure 2 with the clutching mechanism tion,

Figure 60 is a section on line 51-51, Figure 2 illustrating the parts of the clutching mechanism as they appear immediately after said mechanism has been shifted from active position,

Figure6l is a section on line til-6|, Figure 9, Figure 62 is a fragmentary View in front elevation of the top wall of the recess of the wire feed mechanism,

Figure 63 is a section on line 63-63, Figure 9 with the socket screw member omitted,

Figure 64 is a fragmentary view in front elevationv of the top wall of the recess aforesaid,

Figure 65 is a section on line 65-455, Figure 29, and

Figure 66 is a side elevation of the staple clinching member.

The machine includes a supporting stand I formed of a hollow base 2 and a tubular standard 3 having its lower end anchored as at 4; to the rear of the top of the base. Standard 3 is open at its upper end. Extending into, secured with, seated on and projecting above the top edge of standard 3 is a head-piece 5 formed of a peripherally shouldered body part 6 having integral therewith at the top thereof, a supporting arm l disposed at right angles thereto and overhanging base 2. The front of body part 6 from the inner end of the lower faceof arm 1 to the top edge of standard 3 is inset, as at 8. The outer face of said inset 8 is squared. Integral with body part 6 is a pair of oppositely disposed laterally extending spaced aligned upstanding lugs 9 having their front faces forming flush continuations of the outer face of inset 8. The lugs 9 are integral with the inner end of the lower face of arm I and seat on the top edge of standard 3. The latter in proximity to its upper end and lengthwise thereof is formed with a slot '50, through which extends the upper portion of an upstanding pull rod 5 I for shifting the releasing means of a clutching mechanism to be referred to. The remaining portion of rod II is arranged in standard 3 and base 2. Suitably connected to the front of base 2 is a spring controlled foot pedal l2 which is attached to the lower end of rod H in a manner to provide for the lowering of the latter when pedal I2 is depressed.

The machine includes a supporting structure 13 for elements thereof and which is seated on and anchored to arm I. The structure 13 is formed with a housing I 4 having an integral front wall 55 formed with an axial opening it in which is mounted a bearing bushing Il The housing M includes a removable rear Wall I8 suitably secured to the rear end of and extending therein. The wall i8 is formed with an axial opening I3 in which is arranged a bearing bushing 20. The structure i3 is formed with an open front chamber disposed forwardly of the front end of and extending laterally with respect to the housing M. The structure 13 at the front end of chamber 2! includes 2. depending extension 22. The structure i3 is formed with an upstanding outwardly inclined arm 23 integral at its lower end with one side of chamber 2!. The prime mover for the machine is in the formof an electric motor 2d which seats on and is anchored to the top of the structure l3. The shaft 25 of motor 24 is extended as at Eliand carries a driving pulley 2'! disposed rearwardly with respect to the rear end of housing 14.

Mounted in the bushings ll, 20 and extending forwardly from bushing I! into the chamber H in active posiis the operating shaft 28 which is driven from and intermittently coupled to the portion 26 of the shaft 25 of the motor 24. The shaft 28 extends rearwardly from bushing 20 and carries a hand wheel 29 for manually rotating it, when desired to set the machine prior to its operation from the motor. The shaft 28 is driven from shaft 25 by a transmission consisting of the pulley 21, an endless belt 36 and a peripherally grooved pulley 3i loosely mounted about and adapted to be intermittently clutched by a means to be referred to with the shaft 28. The pulley 35 is of materially greater diameter than the pulley 21. The hub of pulley 3i, indicated at 32', extends outwardly with respect to the web of such pulley (Figure '58) and has its outer end bearing against the hub 33 of the hand wheel 29. The hub 32 is formed with a circular recess 34 at its inner end. The hub 33 is detachably secured to shaft 28 by the pin 33 The shaft 28 forwardly of bushing ll and within chamber 2! has fixed thereto a gear wheel 35 the purpose of which will be referred to.

The machine includes an automatically arrestable manually releasable means for'intermittently controlling the stapling cycles. The said means is in the form of a clutch mechanism 28 formtermittently coupling the shaft 28 with the pulley 3! whereby the shaft will be intermittently driven to the extent of a complete revolution at each clutching thereof with pulley 3i. mechanism is of the same form, arrangement and functions in the same manner as the clutching mechanism forming the subject matter of my copending application Serial Number 189,460, filed February 8, 1938. The clutching mechanism is best shown in Figures 2, 57, 58, 59, 60, and it includes a sleeve 36mou'nted on and fixed to shaft 28 outwardly of the rear end of housing M. The sleeve 36 at its rear end is formed with a laterally extending annular fiange 37. Extending into the recess 34 and secured'to the pulley 3! is a ratchet element 38.1 The latter is bodily carried with pulley 3i. Interposed between shaft 23 and the hub 32 of pulley 3! is a bearing bushing 39. The element 38 has a Wiping contact with the rear or outer end ofsleeve 36 and coacts with hub 32 to prevent the lengthwise shifting of pulley 3i and bushing 33 relative to shaft 28.

Connected to the flange 31, extending towards the pulley 3i and spaced from the element 38 is apivot 46 for a spring controlled pawl M which coacts with the ratchet element 33 to clutch shaft 28 with pulley 3! to provide for the driving of the latter from the motor. The'outer end portion of pawl 4! has the outer lengthwise edge thereof formed with a semi-circular cut-out 32 forming a gulletfor receiving the spring controlled plunger 43 of a-stop structure Ml acting to shift pawl M on its pivot, in a direction to swing the nose 44 of the pawl clear of ratchet element 33 to unclutch shaft 28 from driven relation with respect to the motor.

The controlling spring for pawl ll is indicated at Q5, and it normally tends to move pawl 4! in direction to have its nose M to engage one of the teeth of theratchet element 33, but such movement is arrested by the plunger Q3. The flange 3'! carries a stop G5 for arresting the movement of the outer end portion of pivot H towards element 33.

The structure Mlis horizontally disposed and mounted in a socket 46 formed in the lower portion of the rearend ofthe supporting structure l3. The structure M is formed with a slot ll The clutch i through which extends an abutment 48 of rodlike form carried by plunger 43. The abutment 48 is arranged in the path of the releasing structure 49 of the clutch mechanism. The structure 49 includes an arm 58 for shifting the abutment 48 to move plunger 43 clear of pawl 4| toprovide for the clutch mechanism acting to clutch shaft 23 with the shaft of the motor. The structure 49 includes an arm 5| which is integral with the lower end of and disposed at right angles to arm 50. The said arms are mounted in a manner to be shifted on a like direction in unison. The arm 5| carries a headed bolt 52 extending laterally therefrom and with the head of the ho spaced from the arm.

It is to be understood that the clutch mechanism which is associated with shaft 28 and pulley 3| will be identical in construction and operation as the clutch mechanism forming the subject matter of my copending application aforesaid, and therefore it is thought not necessary to'describe such mechanism as to every one of its details, as the parts which are referred to of such mechanism will be a sufficient description to enable one to understand the function of the mechanism with respect to the shaft 23. This statement also applies to the stop and releasing structures 44 and 49 which form elements of the clutch mechanism.

Pivotally connected, as at 53, to the head piece 5 is the lower end of a forwardly extending upwardly inclined lever 54 having a reduced upper end terminal portion 55 which seats on the bolt 52 between the head of the latter and arm 5!. Pivotally connected to the lever 54 at a point between its transverse medium and its lower end, as at 56, is the upper end of the pull rod The controlling spring 5'! for the plunger 43 normally maintains the lever arm 54 in the position shown in Figure 2. The normal position of the outer end of plunger 43 is within the gullet provided by the cut-out 42 and which maintains the pawl 4| in the position shown in Figure 5'7 and shaft 28 not clutched with relation to shaft 25. "When lever 54 is shifted downwardly by the pull rod it, due to the application of downward pressure on front end of the treadle I2, the arm 5| will be carried downward in an anti-clockwise direction and move arm 50 in a like direction carrying the abutment 48 therewith, which in turn will shift plunger 43 in a direction to move it clear of the gullet and also clear of pawl 4|. The latter will then be permitted to engage the edge of element 38 and as the latter is revolving against pulley 3|, the nose of pawl 4| will engage a ratchet of element 38 and provide for the clutching of sleeve 35 to pulley 3| whereby shaft 28 will be driven from the motor shaft.

Immediately after the upper end of lever 5| has been lowered, the pull rod II is released and the plunger 43 will automatically 1 assume the position shown in Figure 60, and as pawl 4| bodily moves with the sleeve 36, it will have a portion of its rear or outer edge contact with the plunger 43 to automatically move the pawl 4! clear of element 38 and to the position shown by Figure 60, whereby the shaft 28 will be unclutched with relation to the shaft 26. After pawl 4| has been shifted to the position shown in Figure 60, the controlling spring for the pawl will shift the nose of the latter towards the element 38, but the wall of the gullet contacting with the plunger 43 will arrest such movement and releasably hold pawl 4| in the position shown in Figure 5'7 that is clear of element 38.

' The operating means of the machine, which is intermittently revolved, to an extent of a complete revolution is provided by the shaft 28, gear 35 and the clutch mechanism.

The machine includes a wire stock carrier in the form of a spool 58 revolubly mounted on a shaft 59 connected to and extending forwardly at right angles to the upper end of the arm 23. The stock is in the form of wire 68 of the desired gauge coiled around and intermittently reeled off of the spool 58. The shaft 59 carries a friction brake 5| which bears against the spool 58 to prevent the accidental revolving of the latter.

The machine includes a combined wire check and guide structure 62 (Figures 1 and 3 to 8) for conducting the wire to a wire-feed mechanism. The structure 62 includes a casting 53 having a horizontally disposed angle-shaped base part 64 formed of a front and a rear arm 65, 66 respectively, disposed at right angles to each other. The arm 65 is of greater length than arm 66. The width of the latter is less than the length of arm 65. The front end of arm 86 is integral with the rear edge of and has its outer side edge flush with the outer side edge of arm 65. The latter is formed with a vertical disposed passage 5? extending from its bottom to its top, a threaded port 68 disposed longitudinally thereof and opening at its outer end at the outer side of said arm and at its inner end into the passage 61, and a horizontally disposed countersunk opening 59 extending from the front face to the rear face thereof. The opening 69 is arranged in close proximity to the inner side of arm 85. The casting includes a vertically disposed arm 10 which is integral with a portion of the upper face and has its inner side edge alignedwith the inner side edge of arm 85. The front and rear edges of arm 78 are flush respectively with the front and rear edges of arm 55. The front of arm 18 is rabbeted as at H. Secured by the holdfast means 12 in the rabbet H is a plate 13 formed at its inner side with a lateral extension 14 which overhangs in spaced relation the exposed portion of the upper face of arm 65. The extension 74 in proximity to its outer end is formed with an opening 75 through which passes a rearwardly extending pivot element I5 formed of an outer end portion 16, an outer intermediate portion 11 of greater diameter than the portion 15, an inner intermediate portion 18 of greater diameter than portion Ti and an inner end portion 19 corresponding in diameter to the portion 11. The portion 16 is arranged with and extends forwardly from opening 15. The portion 16 outwardly adjacent the extension '14 is provided with peripheral threads. The portion 79 in proximity to its inner end is formed with a diametrically disposed opening 88.

The combined wire check and guide structure 62 includes a spring controlled check 8| for a purpose to be referred to. The check 8| consists of a pivotally supporting latching member 82 having its length materially greater than its width. The member 82 is disposed on its lower lengthwise edge and is formed with a nose 83 at its lower inner corner for a purpose referred to. The member 82 between its vertical median and inner end is formed with an opening 84 for mounting it on the portion 71 of element 15. The said portion 11 constitutes a pivot on which member 82 is loosely mounted for movement relative to extension 74. When member 82 is positioned on the element 15 it is arranged between the said portion 18 of the latter and the extension I4. The structure 62 includes a controlling spring 85 for member 82. The spring 85 is of the coiled type and has extended end portions 85, Bl. The body of spring 05 is mounted on the end portion 79 of element 75 and is connected to the latter by the arrangement of spring end portion 86 in the opening 80. The spring end portion 8? is connected to a rearwardly extended pin 88 carried by member 82 in proximity to the outer end of the latter. The spring 85 normally tends to releasably maintain the nose 83 of member 82 in engagement with the wire 60 after each intermittent feed thereof towards the wire-feed mechanism to check or hold the wire '60 stationary. The element l5 is secured to the extension 72 by a clamping nut 89 binding against the latter and coacting with the portion '11 of such element. The nut 89 threadedly engages with the portion it of element 15 The structure 52 includes an upper combined wire guide and retainer element 30 as the wire intermittently reels off of the spool 53. The element 90 is in the form of an upstanding strap like strip 9| of metallic material having an inwardly curved upper portion 92 arranged above the spool 58. The remaining portion 33 of the strip BI is vertically .disposed. The lower end of strip 9! is seated against the upper face of arm 65 at the inner side of passage 6?. The lower part of the portion 93 of strip SI is positioned 94 disposed rearwardly with respect to the lengthwise median of the strip EN. The latter 5 has secured thereto and extending from its outer face spaced retainers 95 for confining thereon that portion of the wire guided thereby. The retainers 05 are in the form of yokes through which pass the wire. The retainers 05 are disposed forwardly with respect to the longitudinal median of the strip. The latching member opposes that side portion of strip 9I to which the retainers 95 are attached.

The structure 52 includes a lower wire guide 06 which depends from the arm 65 to a point between the upper portions of the feed rollers of the wire-feed mechanism and in this connection attention is directed to Figures 1 and 9. The guide 96 is vertically disposed, of tubular form and has its lower portion 9! gradually decreasing in outer diameter throughout. The upper terminal portion 08 of guide 96 is arranged in the passage Ii'l. The upper end of guide 95 is flush with the upper face of arm 65. The portion 88 of guide 95 is clamped in the passage 51 by a clamping screw 93 threadedly engaging with the wall of port 58.

The casting 03 of structure 62 is anchored t the structure I3 by the holdfast means I00 (Figure 1) extending through opening '69 and engaging in that part of structure I3 which provides the top wall of chamber 2|. The casting S3 is arranged above chamber 2| and is disposed forwardly with respect to the latter. The arm 50 of the casting 63 abuts the supporting structure I3.

The wire-feed mechanism IOI best shown in Figures 9to 20 is detachably connected to front of the structure I3, and is arranged within, extended forwardly and bodily removable from'the chamber 2|. The mechanism IOI includes a one-piece support I02 which forms a closure for the major portion of the open front of chamber 2|, acarrier for the other parts of such mechanism and one of the guide sections for the stapleformer and staple driver mechanisms. The support I02-inc1udes a vertically disposed part I03, of square cross section at the inner side thereof and an upstanding part I04 extended outwardly at right angles to the outer side of part I03. The part I04 is disposed on its lower lengthwise edge and is of less height and of greater widththan part I03. The inner side of part I Mis spaced from the upper and lower ends of and inset with respect to the front of part I03. The latter forms the guide section referred to and is provided near its upper end with an opening I05 and below the latter with an upper and a lower threaded opening I03, I01 respectively of less diameter than the opening I05. The part I04 .in its lower portion and in proximity to part 103 is formed with an opening I08 of the same diameter as opening I05 and arranged above the opening I01. The support I02 is positioned relative to the structure I3 for closing the major portion of open front of chamber ii. The remaining portion of the open front of chamber H is closed by the staple former mechanism to be referred to and the other guide section, to be referred to for the former and driver mechanisms. The support I02 secured to the structure I3 by holdfast means I08 passing through openings I05, I08 and threadedly engaging in the front of said structure I3.

The part I04 is formed lengthwise thereof and in its front with an oval shaped recess I09. The base wall Hi9 of the recess is provided with a pair of spaced aligned openings H0, III and on its inner face with a pair of spaced rearwardly extending collars H2, H3 having their inner faces forming continuations of the walls of the openings H0, II'I respectively. Mounted in the openings IIO, III and passing through the collars H2, H3 are rearwardly extending bearing business H4, H5 respectively.

Mounted in the bushings H4, II5 are operating shafts H6, Ill for the feed roll structures H8, H9 respectively. The shafts H0, H1 operate respectively in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The said shafts are of a length to extend from a point forwardly of the support I02 and through the chamber 2i. The rear wall of the latter is indicated at I20 and is formed with spaced alignedopenings I2I, I22 in which are arranged bearings bushings I23, I24 respectively for the rear end terminal portions of the shafts II6, II'I respectively. The wall I20 is provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending annular bosses I25, I26 respectively which have their inner faces form flush continuations of the openings in such wall and in which are arranged the bushings I23, I24. Fixed to the shafts H0, II! are intermeshing gears I21, I28'respectively which are positioned against the bosses I25 and front ends of the bushings I23, I24. The gears I27, I28 are provided with outwardly extended hubs I20, I30 respectively which bear against the rear ends of the bushings H4, H5 respectively. Extending diametrically through the gear hubs and said shafts are pins I3I, for fixedly with respect to the edge I of the disc. The extension I34 is of a contour greater than a half circle and less than a full circle thereby providing it with a straight edge I36 and a curved edge I31 of greater length than edge I36. The edge I3! is detachably is disposed in concentric spaced relation with respect to the edge I35 of discI33. The edge I36 is spaced from one side of the axis of disc I33. The carrier I32 is formed with an axial opening I38 whichextends through the disc I33 and extension I34. The disc I 33 is formed diametrically thereof with an opening I39 which is intersected by the opening I36. The disc I33 is also formed with a pair of diametrically aligned openings I46. Arranged against the front face of disc I33 and encompassing the extension !34 is an annular split cam I4I of flat ring-like form having a part of its inner edge bearing against the curved edge I31 of the extension I34. The major portion of its outer edge of cam MI is flush with the outer edge of disc I33. The split in cam MI is indicated at I42. The cam MI is formed of a fixed portion I43 and a resilient portion I44 of less length than portion I43. The latter is formed with a pair of horizontally aligned spaced openings I45 which register with the openings I46 in disc I33. EX- tending through the registering openings I40, I45 are holdfast means I46 for fixedly securing the portion I43 of cam I II to the front face of disc I33. The resilient portion I44 of cam MI is spaced from the straight edge of I36 of extension I34 whereby a clearance is provided for cam portion I44 when the latter is depressed towards the axis of the carrier I32. The cam I4I includes a high part I41 formed on the outer edge of cam portion I44. The high part I41 is of a length to extend from a point removed from the point of mergence of the cam portions 5 I43, I44 to the outer end of one of the edges of the split I42. The high part I41 is arranged exteriorly of the edge I35 of disc I33 and constitutes what may be termed one of the grippers for the wire stock when intermittently feeding the latter.

Positioned against the front of the extension I34 and the cam MI is an axially apertured confiner I48 for the high part I41 of cam MI. The carrier I32 is positioned against the front of the 45 base wall I66 of recess I66 and it is mounted on, through the medium of its opening I38 on the part I49 of the shaft II6 arranged in recess I69. The front end of shaft I I 6 is flush with the front of extension I34. The part I49 of shaft H6 is 50 formed with a diametrically disposed opening I56 which intersects and registers with the opening I39. Extending through the registering openings I69, I56 is a holdfast means I5I for fixedly securing shaft IIS and structure IIB together whereby they will bodily revolve in unison. The axial aperture in confiner I48 is indicated at I52 and countersunk. The aperture I52 registers with the mouth of a screw threaded socket I53 formed in the shaft part I49. Extending through aperture I52 and threadedly engaging with the wall of socket I53 is a holdfast means I54 for securing the confiner I46 in position relative to shaft I I6, carrier I32 and cam I4! The elements of the feed roll structure IIB are not adjustable relative to each other or with relation to shaft I I6 and such elements are permanently disposed in fixed relation.

The feed roll structure H5 includes an adjustable carrier I55 consisting of a circular disc I56 having integral with its rear face an extension I51 inset with respect to the edge I58 of disc I56. The extension I51 is of a contour greater than a half circle and less than a full circle thereby providing it with a straight edge I59 and a curved edge I66 of greater length than edge I56. The

edge I66 is disposed in concentric spaced relation with respect to the edge I58 of disc I56. The latter is of less thickness than the thickness of the disc I33 of carrier I 32. The carrier I55 is formed with an axial opening I6I which extends 5 through disc I56 and extension I51. The disc I56 is formed with a pair of diametrically aligned openings I63. Arranged against the rear face of disc I56 and encompassing the extension I51 is an annular split cam I64 of flat ring-like form 10 having a part of its inner edge bearing against the edge I66 of extension I51. The major portion of the outer edge of cam I64 is flush with the outer edge of disc I56. The split in cam I64 is indicated at I65. The cam I64 is formed of a 15 fixed portion I66 and a resilient portion I61 of less length than the portion I66. The latter is formed with a pair of horizontally aligned spaced openings I68 which register with the openings I63 in disc I56. Extending through the registering 20 openings I63, I68 are holdfast means I69 for fix-' edly securing the portion I66 to the rear face of disc I56. The resilient portion I61 of cam I64 is spaced from the straight edge I59 of extension I51 whereby a clearance is had for cam portion 25 I 61 when the latter is depressed towards the axis of the carrier I55. The cam I64 includes a high part I16 formed on the outer edge of cam portion I61. The high part I16 is of a length to extend from a point removed from the point of mergence & 30 of the cam portions I66, I61 to the outer end of one of the edges of the split I65. The high part I15 of the cam I64 is arranged interiorly of the edge I56 of the disc I51 and coacts with the high part I 41 of the cam I4I to constitute what may 35 be termed the other one of the grippers for the wire stock when intermittently feeding the latter.

Positioned against the front face of disc I56 is a front circular clamp I1I formed with an axial opening I14 and an opening I12 which registers 40 with an opening I12 formed in the carrier I55. Arranged in the registering openings I12 I12 is a holdfast means I12 for securing carrier I55 and clamp I1I together. Arranged against the rear end of extension I51 and against the front 45 face of wall I69 of recess I09, is a rear clamp I13, in the form of a circular disc provided with an axial opening I14. The clamp I13 is formed diametrically thereof with an opening I15 intersected by the opening I14. The openings I6I and I14 register with each other. The carrier I55 and clamp I13 are mounted, through the medium of the openings I6I and I14 on that part I16 of shaft II1 which is arranged in the recess I69. The shaft part I16 is formed diametrically there- 56 of with an opening I11 which intersects and registers with the opening I15. Extending through the registering openings I15, I11 is a holdfast means I16 for fixedly securing the clamp I13 and shaft I11 together whereby they will bodily re 60 volve in unison. The part I19 of shaft I I1 which projects from recess I66 is reduced and peripherally threaded. The shaft part I19 extends through the opening I12 in the clamp MI. The carrier I55 and clamp I1I are capable of being 65 revolubly adjusted in unison on shaft parts I16, I19. The shaft part I19 carries a clamping nut I86 acting when screwed home to bind clamp I1I, carrier I55 and cam I64 against the front face of clamp I13 whereby carrier I55, clamp Ill 7 and cam I64 will bodily revolve in unison with clamp I13 and shaft H1.

The manner of setting up the carrier I55, cam I64 and clamp I1I in relation to each other and in relation to the clamp I13, shaft portions I16, 75

I79 and the clampingscrew I89 permits for the adjusting of the high part I'IIl of cam I96 with respect to the high part I 9'5 of the cam Hill for varying the period of duration of the grip or bite had on the wire stock by the said high parts I II, I'IIi when intermittently feeding the wire stock whereby the length of that portion of the stock fed through the cutter mechanism to be referred to may be varied. After the carrier I95, cam I69 .10 and clamp II! have been bodily shifted the desired extent on shaft I I? to adjust the high part I'IEI relative to high part I i'I, they are then clamped against clamp I73 by screwing home the clamping nut I99 whereby high part III! will be 5 secured in its adjusted position.

The disc I 58 has its outer face adjacent the clamp I'II provided with suitable-graduated indicia ISI for indicating the length of adjustment for the high part I'I'Ii of cam I94. The front of the upper wall I82 of the recess I99 has secured thereto a depending outset pointer Iii-3 which associates with the indicia I8I.

The cams MI and I94 are disposed outwardly with respect to the recess I99. The part SI of the guide 96 has its lower end disposed between,

in proximity to, arranged above and spaced from the horizontal centers of the inner sides of the feed roll structures I I8, IE9. The said part is so arranged as to deliver the wire stock between the cams I II, I94 to be intermittently gripped and pulled by the high parts of said cams to the de sired extent on the operation of the structures H9, H9. forwardly of the upper wall I92 of recess I99.

The wire-feed structure is driven from a gear I 89 (Figure 29) revolubly supported on a shaft I25 supported from the back wall I29 of chamber 2! inwardly adjacent to inner side of bushing I239. The gear I99 meshes with gear I29 and drives it in an anti-clockwise direction. The gear IE9 is operated in a clockwise direction by the gear 35 carried by shaft 28 which is driven in an anti clockwise direction by the pulley SI.

The front of the bottom wall I85 of the recess I99 (Figures 63 and 64) is formed with a vertical groove I83 of rectangular cross section, an outwardly opening socket I8? intersecting the groove I88, and a rearwardly extending opening I88 communicating with socket I8'I through the base wall of the latter. The front of the top wall I82 of recess I539 (Figures 61 and 62) is formed with a vertical groove I89 of rectangular cross section, an outwardly opening socket I99 intersecting groove E89 and an opening I9I communicating with socket I99 through the base wall of the latter. The guide 99 extends downwardly through groove I89. Arranged within the socket I99 rearwardly of guide 95 (Figure 1) extending through opening I9I and threadedly engaging in the front 60 of structure I3 is a holdfast means I92 for detachably securing top wall I82 of recess I99 to the front of structure I3.

Seated in and extending outwardlyfrom the socket IS'I is a holder I93 (Figure 63). The lat- 65 ter is formed of twoparts of differentouter diameters. The junction of said parts forms holder I93 with a peripheral shoulder I94. The part of larger outer diameter of holder I93 indicated at I95 is interiorly threaded andmounted insocket 70 ll. The part of smallest outer diameter, indicated at I96, forms a socket I91 and an opening I98 which communicates with the socket I9I through the base wall of the latter. I99 is arranged in and its opening I9Iregisters 75 with opening I88 in bottom wall I855. The shoul- The said part 9i of guide 99 is arranged The part der I94, when art we is mounted in socket I81,

aligned openings 299, only one of which is shown (Figure 63) Seatedin the socket I91, extending rearwardly through opening I98 and threadedly engaging in the front of structure I3 is a holdfast means 292 for detachably securing the bottom wall I85 of recess I99 to the structure IS.' The holdfast means 292 is arranged rearwardly of the openings 299. Positioned in the groove I99 (Figure 1) and extending through the openings 299 is the vertical upper portion 293 of a depending tubular conductor 294 for the wire stock fed from the wire-feed mechanism IIII The lower portion 295 of conductor 294 is curved inwardly, extends to and has its lower end positioned at the front of a-partof the wire-cutter mechanism to be referred to. The upper portion 293 of the conductor'2il4 aligns with the lower end of guide 99. The conductor 2% is secured to the holder I93 by a set screw 294 (Figure 63) which engagesthroughout the threaded inner face of the part I95.

The cutter mechanism generally indicated at 299 and best shown in Figures 1, 21 to 28, 30 and 31, includes a body part 29'! formed of an upstanding rectangular portion 298 having upper and lower lengthwise edges 299, 2I9 respectively and outer and inner side edges 2I I, 2I2 respectively. The portion 298 is disposed on its edge 2 I9 and has its rear face formed with a squared rib 2I9 extending from edge III! to edge 2&2 and disposed in proximity to edge 2 I 9. The ends of rib 2H3 are flush with the edges 2I I, 2I2. The portion 298 is provided on the rear marginal portion of its edge 299 with a rib 2 I4 lengthwise thereof. The rear side of rib 2M is flush with the rear face of the portion 298. The inner end of rib 2M is flush with the edge 2 I2. The outer end of rib 2M is beveled as at H5 and is spaced inwardly from the edge 2I I. The portion 298, in proximity to its edge 299 is formed lengthwise thereof with a slot Zldarranged respectively between the vertical median and edge 2H and the longitudinal median and edge 299 thereof.

Integral with the front of the portion 299 is a stationary blade holder 2 I I in the form of an outwardly directed extension 2I8 of square cross section, flush with the edges 2H1, 2I2, spaced inwardly from the edge 299 and arranged below the longitudinal median of portion 299. The extension H8 is of rectangular contour and is formed with a passage 2I9 of square cross section extending from the outer to the inner side of the holder. The extension is formed with a vertically disposed screw threaded opening 229 which at its upper end communicates with the passage 2I9.

Formed integral with the top of the holder 2II,

spaced from the portion 298, flush with the front of extension 2 I8 and spaced from each side of the latter is a vertically disposed combined confining and guide arm 22I- which coacts with the front of portion 208 to form a guide passage 22I for an element, to be referred to, of mechanism 299. The arm 22I extends above the edge 299 of the portion 298.

Positioned within the passage 2 I9 and extended from each side of the holder 298 is a stationary lower cutter blade 222 which also constitutes a guide for the wire stock. The blade 222 is of square cross section and has a portion of the 

